Push to overhaul ABC board selection process amid political interference claims

SCOTT Morrison is being urged to consider US-style confirmation hearings for future ABC board members amid allegations of political interference in the wake of last week’s leadership chaos.

SCOTT Morrison is being urged to consider US-style confirmation hearings for future ABC board appointments after the broadcaster’s chair Justin Milne quit and managing director Michelle Guthrie was sacked in a week of chaos.

Crossbencher Tim Storer aims to put his plan to “guarantee the independence of the ABC” before Parliament later this month.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has also written to Prime Minister Morrison demanding to be consulted on any future board member appointments to safeguard the process from political interference.

Mr Shorten has also accused Communications Minister Mitch Fifield of having a “blatant record of attempted political interference” for appointing board members who were not nominated by an independent panel.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP

Prime Minister Morrison dismissed Mr Shorten’s call for consultation on future appointments, saying the government would follow the current process.

“I’m sure if they have suggestions, they’ll make them, but the Government runs that process,” he told reporters in Perth.

He also restated his call for the ABC to “stop talking about themselves and get back to work and do their job”.

“The ABC is a very important institution, but frankly, there are a lot of other issues out there that I think are really burning through kitchen tables as topics of conversation than that one,” he said.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg also shot down Senator Storer’s call today for an overhaul over the appointment process, which would see the independent panel make their recommendations for board members public and force government to consult with the Opposition on appointments and explain publicly if they intend to ignore board recommendations.

It would also implement US-style confirmation hearings, in the form of a public Senate inquiry, if the government and opposition disagree on an appointment.

Senator Storer argues his proposal would “strengthen the transparency and independence of the board appointment process” and “help enhance the autonomy and integrity of this profoundly important institution”.

Mr Frydenberg told Sky News today: “We have a comprehensive process in place and I haven’t heard a powerful reason to change that.”

The government is under pressure to overhaul the appointments system after it was revealed last week former ABC chair Justin Milne urged Ms Guthrie to sack two journalists, Emma Alberici and Andrew Probyn, after complaints from then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Former ABC Chairman Justin Milne returns to his home in Sydney after resigning. Picture: AAP

It also emerged that Mr Fifield has appointed two board members who were not ever considered by the independent nomination panel and two members who were considered but not recommended by the panel.

Mr Shorten wrote to Mr Morrison today demanding to be consulted on all future ABC board appointments, including that of the new Chair.

“Given these publicly revealed attempts to undermine and politicise the ABC by the current government, I seek your agreement to take immediate action to protect the independence of the organisation,” he wrote.

“This starts by ensuring the appointment of a new ABC Chair and any future ABC board members is done in a bipartisan way.

“Labor is incredibly concerned about the ability of Minister Fifield to make suitable appointments, including for the new ABC Chair, given his disregard for the independent Nomination Panel process.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has yet to comment on the demand but yesterday warned acting ABC chair Dr Kirsten Ferguson to “settle the ship”.

“I expect the ABC board to do better. And if they don’t, well they can expect a bit more attention from me,” he told ABC’s Insiders program.

- with AAP